Lake Powell Overview

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Lake Powell Houseboat Rentals - Lake Powell Houseboat Rentals can help you plan a trip leaving from Wahweap or Bullfrog marinas, or the all new Antelope Point. We have a boat right for your group, from the inexpensive 46' Voyager, a perennial favorite, to the luxury 70' Millennium with all the trimmings. We can also outfit you with a full selection of watertoys, powerboats, and personal watercraft for your houseboat trip.

If there is a magic on this planet," wrote Loren Eisley, "it is contained in water."

Lake Powell, the second-largest man-made reservoir in the nation, combines the magic of water with the red-rock glory of the desert Southwest-a bewitching marriage of water, stone, and sky.

This world famous water playground is both awe-inspiring (2,000 miles of shoreline—longer than the U.S. West Coast; 8.5 trillion gallons of dammed Colorado River;) and intimate (the echo of a seep trickling over sandstone through cattails and maidenhair fern; the aroma of juniper and willow). It’s a place for adventure (house boating, water and jet skiing, swimming, fishing, canyoneering, hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba-diving, beach-camping, backpacking, cliff-jumping) and quiet reflection (measuring human aspiration against the majesty of Rainbow Bridge — the largest natural bridge on earth).

Take the boat up a side canyon as far as you dare and then set out on foot to explore its scalloped slots and spring-fed pools. Stalk stripers, large and smallmouth bass, walleye, catfish, and bluegill through the hidden depths of a turquoise bay. Climb ancient Moki steps to the secret dwellings of a vanished people — the mysterious Anasazi. Watch the evening sun die in fire over the world’s most colorful display of vertical, fissured, arched, domed, and castellated sandstone — and then marvel at the blazing stars of a Colorado Plateau night sky.

How to see Lake Powell

Auto Tour

You want to see Lake Powell from your automobile but the lake is so big, and vehicle access so limited, where do you start?

Lake Shore Drive, between the town of Page and Wahweap Marina, is your best bet. Just driving across the dam is impressive. Stop at the visitor center and then follow the road as it skirts along the edge of Wahweap Bay. Drive into the marina and find a vantage point where you can see out over the rows of houseboats and yachts. Plan on a half-day to explore this area.

In the Hite area the scenery is spectacular along Hwy. 95 where in comes alongside the Dirt Devil arm of the lake and crosses the twin bridges. There is a viewpoint just off the highway that provides a panoramic overlook of the entire Hite area.

It’s not practical to auto tour between the marinas to see the lake.

By Boat

The best way to see Lake Powell is by boat. The land features that define the lake — the sheer cliffs, narrow gorges and towering mountains — make it impossible to drive to the water in most areas, even using four-wheel-drive vehicles. But the lake’s twisting canyons can be probed using boats of all shapes and sizes, from tiny kayaks to powerful water ski boats to massive houseboats. Visitors can bring their own boats, rent boats at the marinas, or ride on tour boats to see the sights.

Powerboats are almost always available for rent, even on summer weekends, but advance reservations are highly recommended. Book several months in advance if your schedule includes a major holiday. To get a houseboat for a specific date during summer you need to book well in advance — perhaps a year. If your schedule is flexible and you get on the standby list, you can often get one on short notice.

Rental boats are readily available and more affordable during the winter season. Winter storms are infrequent but can be a hazard; conditions can be very pleasant for boating, hiking and exploring during calm periods between storms.

Rainbow Bridge

Rainbow Bridge is the most popular destination for boaters on the lake. It’s an impressive must-see, the largest natural bridge in the world. It’s a National Monument in its own right —actually not a part of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, but proximate to and administered by Glen Canyon.

The bridge is located in an arm of Forbidding Canyon, about 55 miles from Wahweap and 60 miles from Bullfrog. That’s a long distance for a boat to travel one-way and most will require refueling during the trip. Dangling Rope Marina is about 10 miles from Rainbow Bridge and provides the only available fuel stop. It is located downlake from Forbidding Canyon but boats out of both marinas normally stop there.

Commercial boat tours

From Wahweap Marina:

Rainbow Bridge full day. Includes the bridge, at least one side canyon and a stop at Dangling Rope Marina. A box lunch is provided.

Rainbow Bridge half day. Directly to and from the bridge. Lunch is not provided.

Wahweap Bay cruise on the Canyon King paddlewheeler.

Wahweap Bay sunset cruise on the Canyon King. Includes the option of a full dinner.

From Bullfrog Marina:

Rainbow Bridge, including one or more side canyons and taking most of a day.

Canyon Explorer tours scenic canyons in the Bullfrog area.

Private boating

Lake Powell is a huge, exciting playground for people with boats and water toys. Exploring the lake’s many side canyons is a popular activity — it would literally take weeks to see the wonders in the lake’s major canyons, and months if you want to explore the minor canyons.

Spectacular scenery can be found in every area of the lake, many people think the most impressive sights are found around Padre Bay, Rock Creek Bay and the Escalante River arm.

Water skiing and wake boarding are very popular activities all over the lake, even in some very tight side canyons. On a calm morning in a distant canyon, the glassy water reflecting the glow of the red cliffs, it is easy to forget about the cares of the world. Warm Creek and Last Chance bays are considered prime ski territory.

Ancestral Puebloans (Anasazi) inhabited this canyon country and rock art and ruins from their culture can be seen in many locations. The restored Three Roof Ruins is an impressive site on the lake’s distant Escalante arm. Defiance House restored ruins and pictographs are equally impressive and are more accessible, situated in an arm of Forgotten Canyon just uplake from Bullfrog.

Waterfalls, towering rock steeples, arches, water caves and other wondrous natural sights can be found in every direction. Traces of early human activity are equally impressive. If you search you can find "Moki steps" carved into the sandstone by the Anasazi, remnants of the tail used by explorer-priests Silvestre Escalante and Francisco Dominguez in 1776 as they became the first Europeans to explore this area, the incredible "Hole in the Rock Trail" where Mormon pioneers hacked a steep passage over the cliff face and then lowered down covered wagons using a crude block and tackle, and trails and steps left by early miners who searched this rugged country for gold and uranium.

Camp on the beach

It is certainly possible to see much of Lake Powell by making day trips out of the marinas, returning every evening to a developed campground or the hot showers, flush toilets and soft mattresses found in RVs and at lodges. However, if you really want to get a feel for Lake Powell country, consider camping in a remote canyon. The experience is surreal: the tranquility of your own private cove with no other people in sight; silence, except perhaps for the call of a raven or the splash of a fish; the setting sun igniting the billowy clouds, setting aglow the canyon walls, the light show spilling onto the dancing water; and, as darkness descends, a billion bright stars in the desert sky.

"Camp" in a houseboat and you can have all the luxuries of a plush condo right there in your private paradise: microwave oven, satellite TV, air conditioning, hot water…

There are tradeoffs, or course. Houseboats are slow and can’t maneuver well in narrow canyons. Consider exploring the lake in a powerboat and setting up a tent on a sandy beach. You’ll need to bring a porta-potty or some other approved toilet device.

Give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination because it is dangerous to boat on Lake Powell after dark.

Hiking Lake Powell

This area offers world class hiking opportunities that are often overlooked because water sports dominate the attention of visitors. Hikes can range from pleasant strolls along the beach during the evening to multi-day canyoneering adventures.

West Canyon, located on the lower lake, provides a wonderful introduction to canyon hiking and is a great choice for both novices and experienced hikers. Boat as far as you can toward the end of the canyon, tie up and then start hiking up the canyon. Depending on the water level, you may face a short stretch of mud and silt before you reach the clean sand above the lake’s high water mark. A small stream flows through the canyon and serves as your guide — just follow it to adventure. Hiking will be easy at first and become progressively more difficult as the canyon becomes a narrow slot. If you continue onward you’ll have to wade and then swim through pools and eventually climb over waterfalls and other obstacles.

In West and many other canyons you can simply hike until you start to become uncomfortable because of the distance or difficulty, then simply return the way you came. Just remember, you have to climb back down anything you climb up. West is a good choice for multi-day backpacks. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to return before dark if you aren’t prepared with backpacking year.

The canyons on the Escalante arm offer great hikes that don’t become quite as intense as West. Boat Davis Gulch past LaGorce Arch and then hike up to Bement Arch. Hike Willow Creek Canyon to Broken Bow Arch or work your way into the challenging slot in Fortymile Gulch.

On the lower lake, a short hike into Chaol Canyon, an arm of Navajo Canyon, will take you to an impressive waterfall and interesting rock art.

Antelope Canyon above the lake is perhaps the most famous slot canyon in the world. It features a tight slot with sculpted walls that glow red — it’s the subject of many wildly published photographs. To reach the most scenic part of the canyon, follow Hwy. 98 east from Page to the canyon. You’ll be on Navajo land and you must obtain a permit from the tribe. Inquire in Page for details.

The Black Hole of White Canyon, above Hite, offers a challenging and exciting slot suitable for experienced, prepared hikers.

Many hikes in this area require wading and are appropriate for warm weather, including the hottest parts of summer. Dry hikes are most enjoyable during spring, fall, and warm spells in winter. Flash floods are a grave danger during summer months. Pay attention to weather reports and never enter slot canyons if there is any chance of rain.

Fishing

Lake Powell offers exceptional fishing for striped bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish and bluegill. Largemouth bass, crappie and walleye are also commonly caught. Anglers over the age of 14 must possess a fishing license valid for the state in which they are fishing (Utah for most of the lake, Arizona for the Wahweap area).

Fishing success picks up in April, when smallmouth bass move into shallow, rocky areas all over the lake. Striped bass action becomes very good in late April, when the fish congregate near the dam and near the inflows on the upper lake. During the summer the smallmouth and stripers scatter throughout the lake. Fishing is good but you have to hunt them down.

Catfish action picks up as summer temperatures rise. Cats can usually be caught off sandy beaches and will often take scraps left over from dinner: bits of hot dog work very well. Bluegill are common at the base of large rocks toward the backs of canyons.

In August and September, striped bass fishing becomes exceptional. Working as a pack, stripers surround a school of tiny shad and prey on them at the surface. The activity becomes so furious the water appears to "boil." Reel a shad-imitating lure through these boils and it will be hit aggressively by the feeding stripers.

Smallmouth bass action picks up again in September and continues to be good into October. Success for all species slows during the winter months.

The Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam offers very good year-round fishing for rainbow trout. It is possible to fish a short section of the canyon from shore by walking upstream from the Lees Ferry boat ramp. But most of the canyon, including the best holes, are accessible only by boat. Jet boats and bass boats are used to take anglers to productive gravel bars where the anglers get out and wade. Fly fishing is recommended but you can also use a spinning rod to cast artificial lures. Hooks must be barbless and harvest is restricted so read the current proclamation.

Water flows vary widely on the Colorado River below the dam so use caution while boating and wading.

Guides are available in Page and Marble Canyon to take anglers fishing on both the lake and the river. Check www.utah.com for details.

Other activities

Raft trips are popular on the Colorado River from Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry. This is not a whitewater section and so the experience is tranquil, with outstanding scenery.

Visit the John Wesley Powell Memorial Museum in Page; 6 N. Lake Powell Blvd.
Page, AZ. 86040; 928-645-9496.

Tour the historic district and pioneer-era buildings at Lees Ferry.

Evening ranger programs are offered at Wahweap Campground Amphitheater during the summer. Check the bulletin boards and visitor centers for topics.

Off-highway vehicles can operate on the sand hills at Lone Rock Beach, on the northwest side of Wahweap Bay. Four-wheel drive vehicles can access the lake in a few remote canyons.

Mountain bikes must stay on established roads within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The paved roads near the marinas offer easy rides. There are a number of rough dirt roads that offer the potential for long, rugged bike trips. The Flint Trail above Hite and the Hole-in-the-Rock trail on both sides of the lake offer challenging routes for bikers.

Lake Powell in a day

By Rick Maw

It’s 7 a.m. and I can’t sleep any longer. The morning sun is beating on me and it’s too warm to stay in bed. The sun is just rising to the tops of the red sandstone cliffs that surround our houseboat and the lake is perfectly still. I’ve got to be the first person on the lake. I wake my wife and a couple of die-hard water skiers and get them in the boat. I yell, "Hit it!" The rest is just pure ecstasy. The hum of the boat, the warm water, the sun on the red rock, and water skiing on blue, glassy-smooth water — it just doesn’t get any better than this. It sounds like a dream, but this is how every day starts for me at Lake Powell.

The best way to see Lake Powell is by getting on the water. If you only have one day, here are my recommendations: take a Rainbow Bridge Tour or rent a motorboat for the day.

The beauty of a tour boat is that you don’t have to watch where you are driving; you can focus on enjoying the beautiful scenery. Most likely, you will be taking a tour boat from Wahweep Marina. Tours are also available from Bullfrog. From Wahweep, the tour will take you by Glen Canyon Dam. This incredible dam built, between two sheer red rock cliffs carved out by the might Colorado River, holds back this huge body of water. From the dam you will follow the winding path of the Colorado River channel, some 500 feet below the surface of the water.

As you travel up the lake you’ll pass through narrow channels with steep cliffs protruding from the water, you’ll be able to look up canyons that seem to never end, and of course you will pass houseboats and motorboats looking for the ideal place to spend the week. As you enter "Forbidding Canyon" toward Rainbow Bridge, the steep red cliffs start to narrow in around you. The lake level has been low in recent years and you have to hike 3/4-1 mile hike to reach the bridge.

If you choose to rent a boat and explore on your own, it is essential that you get a good map of the lake. Follow the buoys on the lake to avoid driving the boat on top of a sandstone butte two feet under the water. The lake continually changes as the water level rises and falls from varying runoff and outflow. Also, a word of caution: the main channel of the lake is busy from other vessels and can sometimes be quite rough in a small boat.

Whether you go by tour boat or on your own, I recommend that you see Rainbow Bridge. It is the largest natural stone arch in the world and is unbelievable when you see it. A couple of other favorite stops along the way are West Canyon and sand hill.

West Canyon has a most impressive slot about one mile above the lake’s high water mark. The hike starts out along a sandy streambed but you are soon hiking over sandstone where the canyon walls start to narrow in on you. There are some areas where the cliffs are only two feet apart and sometimes there are pools of water you have to swim across. If you are the adventurous type, this is a great hike.

Back near Wahweep Marina there is a big white sand hill. This is a must do for our family every time we go to Lake Powell. It is located straight north of the Wahweep Marina on the opposite side of Wahweep Bay. It is not marked on commercial maps, but it is right between Lone Rock and Castle Rock by Ice Cream Canyon. Hike to the top of the 300 foot sand hill and look out over Lake Powell. This is a breathtaking view. After you have caught your breath, run down the hill right into the refreshing water.

A beautiful and simple boat ride is the loop by Glen Canyon Dam and then on around Antelope Island. You go through the Narrows, a channel with tall sandstone cliffs, which opens up to a perfect area for water-skiing and with sandy beaches. The drive around Antelope Island will take a couple of hours.

Next time you come to Lake Powell you’ve got to try a houseboat. Picture this, sitting on top of the houseboat on a nice warm evening, the sun is setting and a full moon is just peeking over the red butte across from you. It’s quiet, calm and nothing else even matters.

Basic Information

Wahweap Marina distance from:

Las Vegas: 267 miles

Phoenix: 277 miles

Salt Lake City: 387 miles

Distance between marinas by road

Wahweap to Bullfrog (via Burr Trail): 175 miles. (Longer if you stay on highways.)

Wahweap to Hite: 235 miles

Bullfrog to Hite: 64 miles

Halls Crossing to Hite: 85 miles

Bullfrog to Halls (via ferry): 3.75 miles

Distance between marinas via boat

Wahwaep to Dangling Rope: 50 miles

Dangling Rope to Halls: 65 miles

Halls to Bullfrog: 3.75 miles

Bullfrog to Hite: 50 miles

Fees

Annual entrance: $20 per vehicle

Weekly entrance: $10 per vehicle

Annual boating: $20

Weekly boating: $10 for first motorized vessel, $4 per additional vessel

Camping fees vary by location

Seasons and operating hours

Lake Powell marinas, launch ramps and campgrounds are open year-round. Visitor centers are open daily Memorial Day through Labor Day and operate on reduced schedules other times of the year.

Water and air temperatures are pleasant for water sports from early May through early October, and that is the period when visitor numbers are highest. Good fishing begins in April and continues through October. There are good options for hiking year-round.

Summer air temperatures often reach 100 F or above. Winters are mild and usually dry, with a few weeks of nighttime temperatures below freezing.

Transportation

There are scheduled flights into Page, AZ (Wahweap Marina). All marinas on the lake can be reached by chartered flights or shuttles from Las Vegas, Salt Lake City and Phoenix.

The lake is accessible via paved road at Page, Bullfrog, Halls Crossing and Hite. There are full-service marinas each of these locations.

The lake is accessible via improved dirt or gravel roads at Lone Rock, Bullfrog Beaches, Stanton Creek, Dirty Devil River, Farley Canyon, Clay Hills and Piute Farms. Depending on the lake level, it may be possible to launch small boats from sandy beaches in these areas.

You can usually drive rough dirt or 4X4 roads to reach Warm Creek Bay, Blue Notch Canyon, Red Canyon, White Canyon and Copper Canyon.

Transportation from point to point on the lake is usually via boat. Navigational markers identify the main Colorado River channel and most canyons. Boating hazards are marked as they become known. The lake level changes on a daily basis and different rocks are hazardous at different lake levels, so boaters always need to exercise caution.

Camping

Modern, developed campgrounds with RV sites are available at Wahweap, Bullfrog and Halls Crossing. Hite offers a camping area with flush toilets nearby but no other facilities. Outhouse toilets are offered at other designated camping areas accessible by automobile, including Dirt Devil River, Farley Canyon, Stanton Creek, Bullfrog North, and Bullfrog South, Lone Rock and Lees Ferry. A fee is charged to camp at all of these areas.

Boat camping is allowed on beaches outside developed areas. There is no fee and there are no facilities. Campers must have a portable toilet or toilet facilities on their vessel. Beaches close to Wahweap and Bullfrog are popular and fill up quickly. It is always possible to find an isolated beach suitable for camping if you boat to more distant parts of the lake.

Lodging

Lodges adjacent to the lakeshore are available at Wahweap and Bullfrog. Housekeeping units (double-wide trailers) are available year-round at Halls Crossing, Bullfrog and Hite.

Lodges and motels are available just outside the national recreation area at Page, Marble Canyon and Ticaboo.

Marinas

Full-service marinas are located at Wahweap, Bullfrog, Halls Crossing and Hite. Facilities and services at these marinas include boat ramps, boat rental, fuel, repairs, lodging, camping, supplies and medical clinics.

Antelope Point Marina (now under construction) will offer a launch ramp and limited services.

Dangling Rope Marina offers fuel, snacks and limited repair services. It is accessible only by boat.

Contact Information

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

P.O. Box 1507, Page, AZ 86040-1507

Emergencies only: 1-800-582-4351 or 911

Headquarters: 928-608-6200

Carl Hayden Visitor Center (Wahweap): 928-608-6404

Bullfrog Visitor Center: 435-684-7400

Lees Ferry Ranger Station: 928-355-2234

Coconino County (AZ) Sheriff's Office: 928-645-8873

Page Hospital: 928-645-2424

Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas (the primary concessionaire at the lake), offers boat rental, repairs, lodging, fuel and other services. Book through www.Utah.com or call 888-881-1120.

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